The show, which debuted in 1989 and featured iconic performances from such acts as Nirvana, Mariah Carey, KISS and LL Cool J, even had an impact on the 19-year-old Mendes, whose favorite session—Pearl Jam in 1992—was recorded before he was born.

“It wasn’t so much about the commercial, showman side of it,” Mendes told Variety. “It was really about the music.”